Chapter 27
It's been over twenty hours since the Dark Arm took Saya. Kolt and Brandy were in the Alter room collecting as many rings as they could, so far, they have only been able to gather three of them. "I forgot how tedious it is waiting for the rings to appear…" Kolt said,
"You used to sit and guard the Master Emerald on a floating island for years." Brandy teased,
"That's different… I was guarding the Master Emerald not impatiently waiting to collect rings…" he said,
"Knuckles!" Tikal appears behind Kolt causing him to jump and almost drop the power ring.
"Chaos Tikal! You scared me!" Kolt said,
"I'm sorry, but I found Sonic." Tikal said,
"You did?" Brandy asked as she nods, "Go tell Elias immediately,"
"Right away!" She said disappearing,
"She's going to scare Elias, isn't she?" Kolt asked,
"Oh yeah, c'mon we'll grab whoever we see on the way." Brandy said as they head to the computer room. They see Sophia and Caroline leaving the infirmary with a packed emergency aid bag,
"Tikal found Saya's location, let's go." Kolt said as they follow them to the computer room where TK was at one of the computers typing. Tikal was talking to TK and Sally and Alan were helping Elias clean up a cup of spilt coffee.
"She spooked you too huh?" Kolt asked,
"I have asked her countless times not to appear behind me…" Elias said looking annoyed, on top of also looking exhausted.
"But it did wake you up more than that cup of coffee would have," Sally chuckled,
"You're not helping." He glared,
"Of course I'm helping, I'm helping clean, aren't I?" Sally said as he rolls her eyes.
"You can definitely tell you two are siblings." Brandy shook her head,
"Okay, using the trajectory Tikal gave me I have pinpointed the Dark Arms ship." TK said giving them all a thumbs up.
"Great work TK!" Alan cheered,
"And are the breathers functional?" Sophia asked,
"Yep! They work perfectly." She said walking over and picking one of them up, "This bracelet goes next to your Chaos Emeralds and it draws energy from it to create an invisible field around your face blocking all outside contaminants and still be able to breath. Think of it like a water filter." She explained poking her finger through the field,
"And we have a ship to fly us up there?" Caroline asked,
"It should be here any minuet." Sally said,
"How many power rings were you able to get?" Alan asked looking at Kolt and Brandy,
"Only three…" Brandy said,
"It'll have to do." Kolt said with a shrug,
"We should make sure to save one for Saya to jump start her since she's been up there breathing that gas for a long time." TK said,
"Did you get what I asked for?" Sophia asked Elias,
"Yes… I'll have it prepped into the ship." He said,
"Wait, what did you ask for?" Caroline asked,
"A bomb." Sophia said,
"What?" they all said,
"I know you're mad Sophia, but I think blowing them all up is a bit extreme…" TK said,
"I'm not risking them attempting to enslave our world to be livestock." Sophia said crossing her arms. "And I don't have the cannon from the ARC to destroy it like last time."
"Still… that's…" Caroline paused,
"I've wiped them out before." Sophia argued, "What makes this different?"
"You're not Shadow." Kolt said taking Sophia by surprise, "Just because that's the way he would do it doesn't mean you have to."
"If you truly knew how bad they are you wouldn't be against it." Sophia said,
"I have to agree with Sophia, our priority is rescuing Saya and then we make sure these invaders are dealt with." Elias said,
"This isn't just coming from Elias; we're getting these orders from higher ups as well." Sally said,
"We're lucky they want Sonic back so much or they would have shot at the Dark Arms ship the second they had it in their sights…" Elias said,
"They were going to shoot it down with Saya inside?" Brandy said as all of their faces go white,
"They almost did… but after we explained that they took Sonic, out of respect for all of you and what you have done they are giving us a chance to saver her." Sally said,
"The bomb is the trade off." Elias explained,
"Guess we don't have a choice then…" Alan said, Sally's phone rings as she checks it,
"It looks like your ride has arrived." Sally said,
"There will be a four-man strike team going with you to defend the ship while you are completing your mission," Elias said,
"Who's piloting the ship?" Sophia asked,
"Rogue, will be piloting and Omega will be joining as backup." Sally said,
"I can't believe we're going to space… I'm a little nervous…" Caroline said,
"Don't leave my side." Brandy said as Caroline smiles at her and nods,
"I'll meet you all in the hangar bay, I'm going to make sure the others are prepared for what we're flying into." Sophia said walking out of the computer room,
"TK… Bring the limit rings." Kolt said,
"What? Why? I don't think Saya's going to turn Dark in this situation." TK asked confused,
"Not for Saya… For Sophia." Kolt said, they all look surprised by the idea,
"I get it… in case she can't fight the psychic link." Alan said as Kolt nods,
"Her own limiters already weaken her, put on a second set and she'll be easier for us to subdue. I won't agree with her request to kill her. No matter what happens." Kolt said,
"What are you talking about? What request is this?" Elias asked overhearing their conversation.
"Sophia asked us if the Dark Arms take control of her… to kill her." Alan said,
"Why would she even consider asking you all that?" Sally asked,
"It doesn't matter because we're not even going to think like that." Kolt said,
"Try to keep an eye on her. We don't need her trying to be a martyr." Elias said as they all nod,
"I'll grab them on our way." TK said with a nod, they all grab the breathers and head to the hangar bay. TK rushes to her workshop and grabs the inhibitor rings and the deactivator ring placing them in her pack. She walks out to see Sophia finishing debriefing the others about the mission.
"Do you all understand?" Sophia asked as they all nod,
"We'll keep the ship safe, Hun." Rogue said,
"I know you will," Sophia said with a smile, she looks at everyone. "Ready?" She asked as they all nod their heads and transform.
"Just one moment…" Tikal appeared,
"Where did she come from?" Omega asked looking around not remembering seeing anyone else enter the hangar bay after them,
"D…don't worry about it…" Amy said,
"Sonic asked me to give you all a message. She asked that you please be careful," Tikal said,
"Was she okay?" Cream asked, Tikal looks away for a moment,
"When I spoke to Sonic she said she was injured… I could tell she was very weak." Tikal said as they all look at one another concerned. Shadow's hand was shaking, Abyss had already hurt her and if she's in a weakened state while breathing that toxic air… it could kill her.
"We better hurry then." Amy said noticing Shadow starting to spiral looking guilt-ridden,
"Good luck," Tikal said disappearing,
"I think I've been working around you supers for too long. I'm starting to get used to all this crazy stuff." Rogue joked as they all climbed into the ship and start prepping for takeoff.
"Oh Shadow," TK ruffles through her pack, "Here, I made you a breather too."
"I'm immune to the nerve gas, I won't need it." Shadow said,
"You're only part alien remember? There's a chance it could still slow you down and that would be bad, so please wear it." She said strapping it to her wrist next to her Chaos Emerald, not taking no for an answer.
"Alright." She smiles,
"Hang on to your seats guys and gals, let's go save a blue Hedgehog." Rogue said as they take off into the sky.
"Let me show you how to set the timer detonator." Omega said as he explains to them that they need to place the bomb as close to the center of the ship as they can of near some sort of power cell. After the spot has been placed, they will need to get the code from him to activate the bomb. Then they can set an amount of time, they think it will take for them to get back to the ship before it explodes. They all start figuring out a plan of attack as they make their way up the outer atmosphere.
Abyss kept a close eye on Saya after their last conversation. It pondered him how she was able to fight through their poison so quickly. He pauses as he begins to feel it, Sophia presence drawing closer. One of the Starfish looking Dark Arms called Deaths Eye floats up to him, "She's on her way here." He said to the Deaths Eye,
"Excellent, what of the girl?" A deep guttural voice echoes from the Deaths Eye. Abyss looks over at Saya who was starting to wake after hearing the sound of talking,
"Looks like she's waking up again, good timing." Abyss said,
"Excellent, I will join you shortly." The voice said,
"Yes Master," He said walking over to her, "I believe your kind says good morning after you wake up." He smiles,
"Aw man… You're still here?" She said, the venom in her system was still making it hard for her to talk. "Whose… joining shortly?"
"You should be honored; Black Doom wants to see you for himself." Abyss said,
"Think I'll… pass…" She said trying to get her body to move but she couldn't even lift her head, "I'm gonna… go back to… sleep… maybe you'll… go away…" He laughs,
"You can't even move and you're still talking like that. It's very entertaining." He said lifting her head and getting his face awfully close to hers, "You need to wake up a little more before your friends arrive."
"Oh good… they can finally… beat the crap… out of you." Saya said, She was trying to keep face, but it hurt every time she breathed. "And stop… touching me." he frowns as he gently lowers her head,
"We were told that your kind were weak and simpleminded." She heard the same voice she just heard a few minutes ago, but it was deeper now and with it came a pressure she was not expecting. She could feel it, he radiated off Chaos energy that seemed twisted. It resembled the sensation she feels when she senses Dark Chaos, but this almost felt more like death and decay. "Yet I'm told you were able to hold your own against my general." Abyss kneels as Black Doom floats over. A large dark grey colored alien wearing ceremonial like robes. It's head had long bull horns that were as wide as his broad shoulders and three red eyes that glowed. A dark green energy swirls around Saya as it comes up and lifts her head to meet eyes with him.
"You must be Black Doom… Neat trick…" Saya said trying to keep her cool, his presence was far more intimidating than Abyss'.
"Tell me how you can induce Chaos Control." Black Doom said,
"I just… Think… Really, really hard…" She said in a sarcastic tone. He clenches his fist as the green energy wraps tighter around her neck.
"You will cooperate." He said as she could no longer breathe.
"My lord please wait… her body is still too weak from my venom. We need her alive to lure Sophia." Abyss said as Black Doom releases his grip as her head slumps back down and she begins coughing.
"Very well, I can feel her presence drawing near. Make sure she is secure." He said fading away into a black mist. Abyss stands back up and walks over to Saya checking the material restraining her arms and legs.
"He…" She coughs, "Seems nice,"
"You should stop resisting, it would be less painful for you." Abyss said,
"That's against who … I am…" She continues to cough. "That hurt… Why do you… care?"
"Because my sister cares. And you'll be needed alive to keep her under our control." He said, Saya feels enraged hearing him say that, knowing that she's bait was aggravating.
"I won't let you hurt her…" Saya lifts her head glaring at him as he looks at her surprised to see her eyes change to a glowing green. she begins to cough again making her lose what little strength she had to fight as her eyes change back and her head lowers struggling to keep conscious.
"Again you surprise me." Abyss said holding her head up again to help her breathe, "Perhaps you can tell Sophia how you feel once she arrives. It will give her something to fight for once we turn her to our side."
"No…" Saya wheezes as her vision tunnels, she could no longer stay awake and passes out.
"Alright everyone, there's not really a docking bay so we're literally back ramming into this ugly thing." Rogue said, "Once I do this it's go time, you all ready?" They all look at one another as Shadow grabs her head,
"You okay Shadow?" Cream asked,
"I can hear their thoughts… they know were here. Everyone be ready for a fight." Shadow said,
"You heard her, let's kick some alien butt." Knuckles said slamming his fists together.
"Alright, here we go!" Rogue said backing up the ship at full speed and crashing it through the outer wall of the Dark Arms ship as she quickly opens the door and they all charge. The strike team take up position around the door of the ship while everyone spreads out taking down all Dark Arms that they see.
"Shadow…" She hears her name claw at the back of her head from a voice she did not recognize. She stops, grabbing at her head trying to ignore it, but it was much louder than she realized it would be. Blaze notices her struggling as she looks for the Dark Arms that Shadow previously told them about. She sees the eye and blasts it with a ball of fire causing it to flee. Tails kicks one of the Darks Arms away before it could grab Shadow. They clear out the rest and secure the room.
"Are you sure you can do this Shadow?" Amy asked,
"Yeah, I'm starting to get used to it. I think the initial hit from the psychic connection took me off guard. It won't happen again." Shadow said,
"The bomb is prepped for movement." Omega said, "Careful, it is rather heavy."
"We can handle it," Kolt said giving Amy a thumbs up as they both grab a handle and lift it off the ground.
"Tails and I will take lead and Blaze and Cream will guard the rear," Shadow said as they all nod.
"We're heading out, keep radio contact and let us know if you need assistance." Tails said as Rogue and Omega nod,
"Go get your girl, Shadow." Rogue winks at her as Shadows face turns red taken off guard by the comment,
"S…She's not my girl!" She said as they all relax for a moment and smile at one another. They head down the corridor but meet no resistance.
"This is really creepy…" Cream said, "And gross…"
"What did you expect from flesh eating aliens?" Amy asked as Cream shivers,
"This is weird… Why haven't we met any other resistance?" Tails asked,
"Probably setting up an ambush." Knuckles said,
"I don't hear anyone nearby." Cream said, "But it's hard to hear with that loud heartbeat, it's almost like the walls are alive."
"That's unsettling…" Blaze said,
"Shadow," She hears Abyss' voice in her head, "Welcome home. You can find us down the left path…" Shadow raises her hand showing the others to stop.
"Abyss is talking in my head." Shadow said looking over at Tails,
"Come alone… you don't want to keep Saya waiting." He said,
"He wants me to come alone." Shadow said,
"Should have seen that coming," Amy said, Shadow walks up to the wall and places her hand on it. She concentrates and uses the psychic link to see the path ahead to the right.
"The right path goes straight for a while then forks, you'll want to take the center path, don't go down the left path there's an ambush." Shadow said,
"Wait… you're not actually thinking of going alone." Knuckles said,
"We don't have a choice, if I don't do what he says he might hurt Saya." She said,
"But you'll be falling right into their trap…" Cream said,
"I know… but the longer we've been on the ship the more I've felt I've gotten a handle of the Psychic link. I should be able to fight it off." Shadow said,
"Should isn't good enough." Blaze said crossing her arms.
"This isn't up for debate," Shadow said,
"But we're still concerned." Tails said,
"I appreciate it, but I can't…" She pauses trying to calm down as she clenches her fist, "I won't let them hurt her further. Follow my directions and you should get to a large chamber. That will be the ideal spot to set up the bomb." She said walking forward.
"Shadow wait!" Tails said running up next to her and rummaging through her bag, "For Saya," She said holding a breather and a power ring. "Both of you come back in one piece."
"I'll try my best," Shadow smiles as she takes them and places them in her jacket pocket then heads down the left hallway,
"Let's get this bomb set up so we can hurry back and help Shadow," Amy said as they all nod and continue down the right pathway.
"I really don't like this…" Knuckles said,
"I don't either, half of me wants one of us to tail her but then we'll be more vulnerable… and if we're ambushed..." Blaze said.
"I know you're right but it's so frustrating." He said letting out an exasperated sigh.
Shadow continues walking alone down the left corridor. Part of her wishes the others were still with her but she couldn't risk it. If Saya got hurt because she didn't follow their demands, she'd never forgive herself. But she also knew the deeper she went the more powerful the physic link will be, and she fears she won't be able to fight it this deep within the ship. The corridor opens up to a larger room, the layout reminded her of the Alter room. She cautiously looks around as she notices Saya on the far side of the room strung up to a pillar.
"Saya!" Shadow calls out as she runs over, "Saya?" She doesn't respond as Shadow grabs the breather and rips the restraints off her left arm as her body slightly slumps from her left arm not holding her up. Shadow places the breather on Saya's wrist as she sees the breathing mask form for a moment then turn transparent. "Please be okay…" Saya begins to stir as her eyes open, she first sees Shadow hover shoes,
"Hey… I… know those shoes…" Saya said. Her vision started coming back as she noticed it wasn't as hard to breathe.
"Thank Chaos you're okay!" Shadow sees her shoulder covered in blood it looked incredibly painful as she realizes there's two bites in the same spot. Saya started to lift her head as she looks at Shadow not completely believing she was there thinking it was a hallucination from the venom.
"Hi." She said with an exhausted smile,
"Hi." Shadow said smiling back as Saya reaches out and places her hand on Shadows cheek just to make sure the one in front of her was Shadow. She was really there; she doesn't notice that Shadow leans into her touch ever so slightly.
"I need to… tell you something…" Saya said, she knew this was her only chance. Maybe telling Shadow how she really feels will help her fight against Abyss and Black Doom.
"Y… You can tell me later, let's get you free first." Shadow said trying not to get flustered composing herself before kneeling down and removing the restraints around her legs before the one around her right arm so Saya doesn't collapse before she finishes freeing her.
"Somehow it's… easier to breathe…" Saya said, now realizing her chest didn't feel as heavy.
"Tails made us all breathers, try to take slow breaths," Shadow said finishing removing the restraints. "There, now we can remove the last one." She stands back up to reach for Saya's right arm and stops looking shocked. She sees Abyss standing next to Saya, his hand wrapped around her throat. Shadow steps back being taken off guard, she never felt his presence approach.
"Hello Sis,"
The others continue down the corridor of the Dark Arms alien ship to place the bomb in the best spot to do the most damage as Tails suddenly stops. "You okay Tails?" Amy asked,
"One of us should have gone after her…" She said second guessing her decision as she looks back down the hallway,
"We all agreed that going after her would be too risky for the bomb." Knuckles said,
"I know but…" She said thinking of how Shadow struggled to keep the Dark Arms out of her head when they first got onto the ship,
"Tails none of us like it but we have to have faith that Shadow can fight long enough to save Saya." Blaze said but she was also worried about Shadow.
"But what if she's not? And they are both gone?" Tails asked looking worried, her mind started to fear the worst,
"You can't think like that, we have to have faith in them." Cream said, "And they will have each other."
"Can we keep moving? This thing isn't exactly light." Amy said adjusting his hands holding onto the bomb,
"Yeah…" Tails lets out a sigh feeling defeated. "Shadow said we should go down the center corridor." Tails pointed as they continue down their path.
"Get your hands off her." Shadow said glaring at Abyss. He was holding Saya up by her neck as she tried to pull his fingers away with her free hand.
"That's no way to talk to family." He said with a smile,
"I told you before, we're not family." She said, "If you hurt her…"
"I wouldn't have to hurt her if she stopped fighting so much. Maybe you can explain how she was able to fight through the nerve gas that has stopped even goliath races?" Abyss asked,
"Spite…" Saya choked through as he begins to laugh.
"I see why you care for her so much." He said tightening his grip as Saya winces in pain,
"I'll kill you…" Shadow said getting ready to charge at him,
"There won't be any need for fighting, we have other plans." Abyss grins.
"Shadow… look… out…" Saya tried to warn her as Shadow quickly turns around to see Black Doom behind her. Just like Abyss she never sensed his presence like she could with the other Dark Arms.
"I now understand your interest in her Abyss." He said looking down at Shadow, "I must know what you are?"
"I'm Shadow the Hedgehog, the Ultimate Lifeform created to protect Earth from invaders like you." She said,
"I can feel it, our blood runs through your veins, join us." Black Doom said,
"Not going to happen," She said, as she could feel the physic link starting to claw at the back of her mind. She grabbed her head trying to fight it. Abyss lets go of Saya as she coughs hanging from the restraint on her right arm. She looks at her Chaos Emerald, it was dim, but the glow was getting brighter. She assumed it was charging faster since all seven Chaos Emeralds were nearby. "Get out of my head!" Shadow yelled,
"We're not letting you go that easily." Abyss steps beside her and places his hand on her head as the physic link grows stronger. She was starting to lose control.
"You will join us Shadow." Black Doom said holding out his hand as the dark green Chaos energy he used on Saya earlier surrounds Shadow.
"Shadow…" Saya tried to call out coughing again, she reaches for the restraint around her arm. "Hang… on…" She said grabbing at it and pulling with all her strength. But she was still too weak from the venom, and it was barely tearing.
"Join us Shadow, do this and we will keep Saya safe." Abyss said as he looks over at Saya seeing her try to break free. "Please continue master," he lets go of Shadows head. Her thoughts were becoming confused and blurred by the link. She began to wonder, isn't this how it's always been?
"I understand, your past was this Shadow the Hedgehog, and he was the one created. Your connection to Chaos has altered you to becoming more like him." Black Doom said, "But you are not as strong as you believe to be. Your human side is weak. We can make you stronger."
"Shadow you gotta fight it!" Saya yelled causing her to cough, Shadow focuses as she hears Saya's voice sound pained and turns towards her,
"Saya…?" Shadow said almost looking confused. Why was she trying to break free? No, that wasn't right… Why was she attached to the pillar?
Saya started to feel her strength return. She can't stop here, she had to help Shadow. "C'mon Shads, you can…" Abyss quickly moves up and covers her mouth,
"Now we can't have you interfering, not when we're this close." He said grabbing her free hand. But she wasn't going to stop. He notices that she was giving more resistance than he thought she could as her eyes glow green again with determination. "Still full of surprises I see." But it still wasn't enough as Shadow's mind clouds again no longer hearing Saya's voice.
"Think of Doctor Robotnik Shadow, with our help he will never take Saya from you again." Black Doom said as Shadows eyes begin to darken. She was almost under his control. Saya tried to say something but it was muffled as she struggles to fight through Abyss' grip. "Now, who are you?"
"I… am… Shadow the Hedgehog… The Ultimate Lifeform… Warrior for the Dark Arms…" She said. Saya's eyes flicker back to normal as she watches, her worst fear realized.
"It worked!" Abyss laughs with joy as he lets go of Saya, she stood there in shock not knowing what to do. Shadow looked completely devoid of all emotion and under Black Doom's control.
"You must stop the intruders. They have brought a bomb to destroy the ship." Black Doom said,
"What?" Abyss said looking shocked, "Well, what do you say sister, should we welcome our other guests?" Shadow walks over next to him.
"S…Shadow?" Saya reached out her hand to her. "You're still in there right?" she tried to touch her face. Shadow reaches up gently touching the back of her hand but then grabs her by the wrist, "No…" Saya fights to pull away as Shadow restrains her left arm against the pillar again with the flesh like material.
"Very good Shadow, we don't want her escaping." Abyss said with a grin,
"Shadow please…" Saya pleaded with tears welling up in her eyes but there was no reaction from her. "Don't let them control you…" She tries to struggle.
"You're wasting your time my dear; Shadow belongs to us now. But don't worry, we'll take care of your friends." He said as they both walk out of the room down another corridor.
"No wait! Shadow!" She cried out as Black Doom floats over towards her. "Crap…"
"Now that Shadow is part of the hive mind I know all I need about you and your abilities." He said as she sees the dark green Chaos energy start to surround her again. "However I must know more about this Dark Chaos and you will tell me."
"What? going to strangle the info out of me?" She glared tears still streaming down her cheeks,
"No, I can feel it inside of you." He said, her entire body began to glow as it felt like she was on fire. The pain felt similar to when she was trapped in the machine Eggman made forcing her to use her Chaos Shield.
"Stop!" She screams in agony as it echoes through the nearby halls.
"This looks like the room Shadow described." Knuckles said looking around, "It doesn't look like anyone is nearby." He and Amy put down the bomb with a heavy sigh. Cream grabs onto Blazes arm.
"What's wrong?" Blaze asked seeing the fear on Creams face.
"I can hear… Saya screaming…" She said as they all looked concerned, "Just like in Eggman's lab…"
"Damnit! I knew we shouldn't have let Shadow go on her own!" Knuckles rages,
"Okay, forget the bomb. We're going after Saya and Shadow now." Amy said,
"I agree with Amy," Blaze said,
"Cream will you be able to guide us to Saya?" Tails asked,
"It sounds like she's down that tunnel," She said pointing to a corridor to the left,
"Wait, didn't Shadow tell us there's an ambush that direction?" Knuckles said as Amy summons his hammer.
"Then we smash our way through." He said looking angry, "Nobody hurts Saya and gets away with it!"
"Channeling your inner Amy?" Blaze said as Amy snaps out of it,
"Sorry, old habits die hard." He chuckles,
"No, I feel the same. Let's take down some Aliens." Knuckles said as they all start running down the left corridor ready for a fight. Cream and Blaze lead the way as two Dark Arms attempt to jump them. Blaze grabs Cream and blasts them back. Knuckles and Amy jump up and strike them down.
"You okay?" Blaze asked,
"Yeah, but you're being a little overprotective." Cream said,
"No such thing." Blaze said with a smile,
"I hear footsteps." Cream said as they all look towards the direction she points towards, "There's a lot of them…" They see an outline of a silhouette walking towards them,
"Is that Shadow?" Tails asked as Abyss comes into view,
"Definitely not Shadow…" Amy said,
"Ah! You saved us the trouble of finding you." He said, "Good, I want to see what my sister is capable of." He said as they see Shadow walk up from behind him,
"No…" Cream said,
"Damnit Shadow, this is exactly what we didn't want to happen…" Knuckles said.
"But … what about…" Blaze said,
"What did you do to Saya?" Amy yelled,
"I… I don't hear her anymore…" Cream said, her face turning white.
"Our master is asking her some important questions. But you needn't worry about her, you should be more worried about yourselves." He said as more Dark Arms appear,
"Let me handle Shadow…" Knuckles said,
"You sure?" Tails said,
"Yes, I've been wanting to beat some sense into her for a long time. Be ready when I give the signal." He gives Tails a look as she nods and starts riffling through her bag.
"I definitely want to watch this!" Abyss said excitedly, "Go ahead sis, show him what the Ultimate Lifeform is capable of now that she is unhindered by feeble human emotions." Shadow steps forward.
"Alright Shadow," Knuckles said walking up to her, "I'm not going to hold back." He said as she warps behind him and kicks him in the back of the head.
"Knuckles!" Tails yelled,
"We have our own problem to deal with." Blaze said as the other Dark Arms head towards them,
"There's a lot of them." Cream said,
"We need to stay close to each other, they'll pick us off if we're separated." Amy said as they get ready to fight.
Saya was trying to fight the pain as the burning sensation she was being overwhelmed with changed to a feeling of drowning. One she remembers too vividly when she was trapped within her own mind by the power of Dark Chaos. It felt like she was being crushed as she sees glowing red eyes in front of her, She's grabbed by her mirror self with red eyes and pulled up to her feet.
"Well, well, well. Look who it is." She heard her own voice, it sounded annoyed. "You're not supposed to be here."
"Dark Sonic…" She said as Dark Sonic rolls her eyes,
"I don't think that's my name." She said crossing her arms,
"I don't really care what you think." Saya said looking for a way out still unsure how she got here. "This is where I was last time but… where are we?"
"That's none of your concern." She said, "Not sure how you got here but you need to leave." Saya starts to see it, the tainted dark green Chaos energy that Black Doom was using slowly encircles Dark Sonic,
"Hey! Look out!" Saya said trying to warn her as the energy grabs Dark Sonic and she's pulled out. Saya starts to come to, her eyes glowing red. Black Doom holding a shard of the Dark Chaos Emerald in his hand as her eyes flicker back to brown. The pain subsides but she felt completely drained.
"So this is the Dark Chaos." Black Doom said,
"Where… did you get that?" She asked looking confused, she never felt the presence of Dark Chaos while she's been here.
"What do you mean? I pulled it out of you." He said,
"W…What?" Saya looks shocked as she's realizing that it's all coming together. The reason she could sense the Dark Chaos and why it was drawn to her was because a shard was still inside her. It must have reentered her body while she was still Super Sonic when the Dark Chaos Emerald exploded in the sky.
"I must go and investigate this further." Black Doom said disappearing leaving her in the room alone.
"Well… that's one mystery solved." She said looking back up to her arms, she still felt weak, but she needed to escape and save her friends. Out of the corner of her eye she sees a golden glimmer recognizing it as a power ring. She could only assume that it fell out of Shadow's pocket. If she transforms she might have enough strength to break free and get the power ring. "Chaos Control!" She transforms and breaks her arms free but collapses not having enough strength to stand, "Crap… I still have no strength." She struggles to get up reaching for the power ring, "Hang on guys…"
Knuckles is knocked to the ground as Shadow lands on top of him making him cough out blood. She leaves her foot on his back pinning him to the ground, "Well that was short lived," Abyss said sounding disappointed, "But it was still very fun to watch," Abyss just watched to the side amused at Shadow's ruthlessness,
"Knuckles!" Cream said as she kicks one of the Dark arms away from Blaze.
"You need to run…" Knuckles said coughing, "I can't…" Shadow adds more pressure to his back,
"Easy Shadow, no need to kill him just yet. The young ones get better nourishment when they eat their food while it's still alive." Abyss said as they all look horrified. Shadow leans down and pulls off Knuckles' breather as the field around his face dissipates.
"He'll be paralyzed without the breather…" Tails said,
"W…what do we do?" Cream said looking terrified, they were outnumbered, and Knuckles was already beaten it became apparent that they were losing.
"Go…" Blaze said, "Get Cream out of here back to the ship. I'll burn any that try to get past me." She lights her hands-on fire,
"I'm not leaving you!" Cream yelled, "If we fight, we fight together. Even till the end."
"Isn't that touching." Abyss said,
"You stay out of this!" Cream demanded fighting back tears as he's taken off guard for a moment,
"Cream I can't fight a full strength if you're in danger." Blaze said,
"We're you going to burn everyone including Knuckles?" Cream said as Blaze looks away.
"N…no…" she said,
"Then I'm staying!" Cream said crossing her arms.
"T… that was a little unexpected. You humans are rather interesting. I wonder if those traits will transfer once we devour you." Abyss laughs as Shadow grabs Knuckles by his shirt. She tosses him at two other Dark Arms, and they start carrying him down another corridor,
"They're taking Knuckles!" Amy said swinging another Dark Arms away,
"I won't let them!" Tails said flying over them.
"Tails wait!" Amy yelled as Shadow warps up next to her and knocks her down to the ground.
"S…Shadow…" Tails said as Shadow grabs her by the collar and lifts her up.
"No you don't!" Blaze yelled charging at Shadow as she throws Tails at her, Shadow charges at Cream but Amy blocks her with his hammer.
"We can't keep this up… they're playing with us…" Amy said swinging at Shadow as she jumps back.
"Wait… what about the eye? Maybe if we can get rid of it Shadow can fight their control." Tails said remembering the Dark Arms Shadow mentioned was an extension that Black Doom used to control Shadow.
"Up there!" Cream pointed out the Deaths Eye,
"Got it!" Amy throws his hammer at it, but Abyss jumps up and strikes it down, "Dang it!"
"You dare to harm an extension of my master?" Abyss said looking at Amy with rage.
"I think I made him angry…" Amy said as Abyss charges at him. He resummons his hammer back to his hands and braces for the attack. A bright blue blur speeds down the hallway as Sonic appears in front of Amy and kicks Abyss in the face knocking him back against the wall.
"That's for touching my face you creep!" She yelled, her entire body still giving off the blue static energy from using the power ring.
"Sonic!" They all cheered,
"S…onic?" Shadow said looking confused as she shakes her head but goes back to standing next to Abyss with a dead expression.
"How did you escape?" Abyss asked getting back up to his feet.
"I'm not sure when, but somebody accidently dropped a power ring." Sonic said giving Shadow a look. "And there's no way I wasn't going to take that opening." She sees Knuckles being dragged down another corridor, "I need you guys to go after Knux, I'll keep Abyss and Shadow busy."
"You can't take them on your own," Amy said,
"I gotta try to snap Shadow out of it but I can't do that knowing Knuckles is in danger. Please." She looks at them as they pause and look at one another.
"We'll get him, just be careful." Tails said as Sonic gives them a thumbs up and they all start running down the corridor.
"Shadow, stop them!" Abyss said as Shadow charges at them, but Sonic gets in front of her.
"You can't leave the party yet, Shadow," Sonic said grabbing her and throwing her towards Abyss. "We're just getting started!" She looks down the hall to see the others disappear out of sight.
"You couldn't take me on your own last time, how long will you last against two of us?" Abyss said,
"I was taken off guard last time. On top of that you can't cheat and throw a nerve gas bomb in my face." She points to the field guarding your face, "You won't be slowing me down any time soon."
"Did you forget my claws are also poisoned?" He said showing his sharp claws,
"Uh yeah, maybe a little bit…" Sonic slightly chuckles as Shadow charges at her and she dodges jumping over her running towards Abyss. "But that's not going to stop me from beating the crap out of you!" she said kicking him in the chest as he counters attempting to claw at her. She barely jumps back dodging out of the way. Shadow warps next to her, Sonic dodges and kicks her to the ground. "C'mon Shadow, you're going to have to be faster than that." She said as Abyss jumps behind her,
"Stop moving!" He said trying to make a grab at her,
"Yeah, stopping isn't really something I do." She said spin dashing him away, as she grabs Shadow by her shoulders, "But I really need you to snap out of it sooner rather than later." Sonic looks at her with pleading eyes hoping she'd react. "I still need to tell you something," Shadow grabs her by the wrists, "Crap"
"She is and extension of Black doom now." Abyss said moving closer, "Perhaps I should have injected you with more venom." Saya's quills puff out defensively,
"Nope!" She jumps up kicking Shadow in the chest causing her to let go, "You and your creepy fangs stay very far away." She said sliding next to him and tripping him. "I'm trying to talk to Shadow,"
"Your fighting is futile." He said as Shadow charges at her and kicks her but she's able to block it with her arms.
"And you need to shut up!" Sonic said trying to think, but she also knew he was right. No matter how fast she is, one slip up and she'll be right back to where she started. She had to figure out how to break Shadow free of Black Doom's mind control and she needed to do it fast.